Distinct Role of Mono-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate in Neuronal Transmission in Rat CA3 Hippocampal Neurons: Involvement of Ion Channels
Yi Lu,
Hong Wang,
Junqing Yang,
Wengao Jiang,
Hong Xin,
Ying Luo,
Santiago Loya-López,
Huaiyu Gu,
Dongzhi Ran
Affiliations
Yi Lu
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Hong Wang
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Junqing Yang
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Wengao Jiang
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Hong Xin
Department of Pharmacy, People’s Hospital of Xinjin District, Chengdu 611430, China
Ying Luo
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Santiago Loya-López
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
Huaiyu Gu
Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
Dongzhi Ran
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) is one of the main active metabolites of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In our previous works, by using rat and Drosophila models, we showed a disruption of neural function due to DEHP. However, the exact neural effects of MEHP are still unclear. To explore the effects of MEHP on the central nervous system, the electrophysiological properties of spontaneous action potential (sAP), mini-excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs), ion channels, including Na+, Ca2+, and K+ channels from rat CA3 hippocampal neurons area were assessed. Our data showed that MEHP (at the concentrations of 100 or 300 μM) decreased the amplitude of sAP and the frequency of mEPSCs. Additionally, MEHP (100 or 300 μM) significantly reduced the peak current density of Ca2+ channels, whereas only the concentration of 300 μM decreased the peak current density of Na+ and K+ channels. Therefore, our results indicate that exposure to MEHP could affect the neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity of rat CA3 hippocampal neurons by inhibiting ion channels’ activity, implying the distinct role of MEHP in neural transmission.
